The final Coffee Concert in last year’s Festival opened with an irresistibly cheerful oboe melody carolling above the Camerata Øresund strings. This delightful introduction leads us into a tangled version of the Orpheus tale where it is the maiden who courageously ventures into the Underworld in search of her lover. And so is created the opportunity for one spectacular soprano aria after another sung here with outstanding skill by Anna Devin, who clearly revels in music that fits her voice to perfection. There is an especial pleasure in Peter Spissky’s violin dancing accompaniment to the first aria and Hanna Loftsdóttir’s expressive cello supporting the lament  in Per te lasciai le luce – For you I left the light.

Find out more, and listen to the recording, here.

As an interlude between the two cantatas, Camerata Øresund chose to play one of Handel’s beguiling Concerti grossi. Like much Baroque repertoire, this music works best with a chamber ensemble, here just 4 violins, viola and basso continuo of harpsichord, cello, bass and lute. The music stays light and airy, untroubled by weighty bodies of strings. This light touch approach keeps this favourite concerto firmly in the realm of chamber music.

Find out more, and listen to the recording, here.

La Lucrezia was a big hit in Handel’s Italy and was clearly written as a display piece for a favourite soprano. Not surprisingly sopranos ever since have looked for opportunities to sing this brief paean to the singer’s art. The accompaniment is basso continuo only so nothing can distract from the vocal fireworks, which Anna Devin delivers with her usual brilliance.

Find out more, and listen to the recording, here.